Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) is an organisation established in 1988 as an association of the agricultural faculties of European universities. It now brings together institutions from across Europe (European Higher Education Area, EHEA). It brings together some 60 universities that focus on life sciences related to agriculture, food, forestry, natural resources, rural development and the environment.
The mission of the ICA network, which operates at a professional, organisational and political level is to:
- stimulate and support member institutions in developing the European dimension of education, research and innovation through the development of joint activities and global engagement,
- network in the field of life sciences to exchange experience and expertise,
- represent the general interest of all network members at a European and global level.
Activities and benefits of UPWr's participation in the network include:
- developing European education, research and innovation through joint conferences and projects (scientific, educational) and actively creating new networks,
- promoting the accessibility of European education and research in life sciences worldwide,
supporting the activities and initiatives of the various disciplines and networks through partnering in the work of the ICA Standing Committees, - representing the general interest of universities that focus on life sciences in Europe,
enhancing the quality of higher education through active participation in international quality assurance and accreditation processes (European Accreditation Agency for the Life Sciences - EAALS), - increasing the involvement of universities in partnering with business in education, research and innovation,
supporting the global internationalisation of ICA members through direct work with members and through the involvement of ICA in the work of international networks (e.g. Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for the Agricultural and Life Sciences), - partnering with other relevant professional bodies and organisations.
ICA Standing Committees are thematic networks within the areas represented by the ICA or support networks for the development of education, research, internationalisation and innovation.
Thematic networks:
- ICA-Edu – The ICA Network for Innovation in Life Sciences Higher Education – provides a platform for exchanging experience and discussing innovative approaches in higher education in the fields of agricultural sciences, food, natural resources, rural development and the environment
- ICA-Bio – The ICA-Bioeconomy Committee – aims to enhance the ICA's bioeconomy activities in education, research and innovation
- AGRIMBA – International Network for the MBA Agribusiness and Commerce
- ERABEE – Network for Education and Research in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in Europe
- IFA - ISEKI Food Association
- SILVA - European Forest Science Academic Network
Supporting networks:
- AGRINATURA – The European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development
- CASEE – The ICA Regional Organization for Central and South Eastern Europe
- I.S.L.E. – Association for Innovation, Teaching and Promoting Sustainable Development in the Life, Applied and Social Sciences in Europe and worldwide
- IROICA – the International Relations Officers’ Network of the Association for European Life Science Universities
More information on the ICA's website.
Contact
prof. dr hab. inż. Agnieszka Kita
agnieszka.kita@upwr.edu.pl
dr inż. Katarzyna Kopańczyk
International Research Programmes Department
katarzyna.kopanczyk@upwr.edu.pl
